~ Below is an article on the political importance of the food supply. It’s not Taiwan or tariffs that worry Beijing…it’s food. ~ By Tom Clifford in Beijing It’s not Taiwan or the economy that keeps Chinese leaders questioning and re-questioning their mandarins. It’s a four-letter word that begins with f: food. Or more precisely, ensuring 1.4 billion people have enough to eat. Many of today’s Chinese leaders know firsthand that food shortages are not some hypothetical scenario. They have experienced what happens when that commodity is scarce. The country’s last food crisis was the Great Famine in 1959–1961, the largest…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG — Financial supervisor Cft remains highly critical of St. Maarten’s financial management. This appears from the Cft’s reaction to execution report for the first quarter of 2025. While the 2025 budget shows a preliminary surplus of 38 million guilders ($21.2 million), the Cft notes that it is unable to establish whether the budget is in line with the standards set in the kingdom law financial supervision. The Cft states that the parliament has approved the 2025 budget but that it has not yet been signed by the Governor. The supervisor furthermore says that the execution report lacks qualitative information.…
By StMaartenNews.com Editorial Team It is not a new observation and we certainly did not come up with it. But it is still useful to think about: countries are not ruled by their government, but by their civil service. Reason enough for the Dutch publication Binnenlands Bestuur to commission Ipsos I&O to conduct a survey among civil servants in the Netherlands to find out what these gatekeepers of democracy really think. The results are not exactly comforting. Only 30 percent of respondents said they are prepared to serve any government, regardless of political color. That’s down from 36 percent last…
A renewed review of the article “THE economy opportunity of the moment” by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert on StMaartenNews.com was inspired by an article published today in The Peoples’ Tribune about MP Wescot-Williams suggestion for a pilot program for urban innovation entitled “Can St. Maarten go Smart?” MP Wescot‑Williams’ tech-led “Smart City” pilot proposal for Cole Bay offers a compelling, forward-thinking complement to Cdr. Slabbaert’s proven economic roadmap—building from cottage industries to cooperatives to a focus on human capital. 1. 🏙️ Cole Bay as St. Maarten’s Pilot Smart City Scope: Turn Cole Bay into a Caribbean-first smart district using technology such as…
The Binnenhof in The Hague, home of the Dutch government. A new survey finds that many civil servants in the Netherlands are willing to draw a “moral line” when government directives conflict with core democratic principles. Officials feel their loyalty lies foremost with the rule of law and the public interest, rather than with any transient political authority. THE HAGUE — A growing number of civil servants in the Netherlands say they will not “serve every administration” unconditionally, according to an Ipsos survey of over 1,350 government employees commissioned by the Dutch public governance magazine Binnenlands Bestuur. Only 30% of…
By Tom Clifford in Beijing President Xi Jinping has put the Chinese military in the crosshairs as he proves once again that Mao Zedong’s metaphor, power is gained through the barrel of a gun, remains as relevant today as it was when the communists took power in 1949. Admiral Miao Hua was responsible for ideology and loyalty within the armed forces. His own loyalty was questioned and he was removed after allegations of corruption. Miao was originally suspended from the Central Military Commission (CMC) in 2024 as he was under investigation for “serious violations of discipline”. Those words, in China,…
PHILIPSBURG — In classic St. Maarten fashion, the public is only now being officially warned — mere days before the July 1, 2025 deadline — that they must comply with new UBO registration requirements or risk facing stiff penalties of up to ANG 50,000. A recent flyer published on the Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page attempts to explain what “UBO” means — short for Ultimate Beneficial Owner — and outlines the registration process, deadlines, penalties, and legal obligations. But here’s the kicker: the National Decree (Landsbesluit UBO-registratie) that mandates this registration has been in effect since June 8, 2024. That’s…
Dear editor, Recently you published an article regarding a recent directive of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) imposing requirements on business owners, allegedly without a legal basis. I see these requirements which are imposed and compelled by the EU and the USA, as outings of neo-colonialism where the exploit, plundering and looting of the America’s, Asia and Africa is sustained in a disguised form of fighting illegality, criminality and money laundering. The wealth of the US and in particular that of the EU is built on criminal money that was obtained by piracy, abduction of people for the…
PHILIPSBURG — Business owners across St. Maarten are raising eyebrows — and questions — following a recent directive from the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry (COCI) requiring the disclosure of Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs) of all registered companies. In an official flyer distributed by COCI, businesses are instructed to pick up sealed UBO declaration packages, complete the documents, and return them — sealed — to the Chamber or submit them via its online portal. Failure to comply, although unspecified, appears to imply administrative consequences. But while the Chamber is moving full steam ahead, one critical question remains unanswered:…
By Terrance Rey | StMaartenNews.com A tragic incident has shaken the construction community in St. Maarten. A well-known local carpenter lost his life after a fall at a construction site in Indigo Bay on Monday. The circumstances surrounding the accident remain unclear, and investigations are still ongoing. But amid the speculation and sorrow, one sobering reality demands our attention: the silent, underestimated danger of working under extreme heat. Multiple sources have indicated that the incident occurred at the Infinity construction site, a reputable development of two-story homes. By all accounts, the general contractor has a solid reputation and follows professional…
